Moist Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked in Mini Muffin Tin

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft and chewy Brazilian cheese breads baked in a mini muffin tin, bursting with savory cheese flavor and perfect for snacking or breakfast. This brazilian-inspired snacks (gluten free) ready in about 33 minutes turns tapioca flour, whole milk, vegetable oil into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 70 calories and feeds 24, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 18 min Serves 24 Brazilian cuisine 70 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a mini muffin tin with oil or butter.
  2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup whole milk and 1/2 cup vegetable oil; heat over medium until it just begins to boil, then remove from heat immediately.
  3. Step 3: Pour the hot milk and oil mixture into a large bowl containing 2 cups tapioca flour and 1 tsp salt; stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until smooth and slightly sticky.
  4. Step 4: Let the dough cool for 10 minutes until warm but not hot, then beat in 2 large eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until evenly distributed.
  6. Step 6: Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough into the prepared mini muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
  7. Step 7: Bake for 15-18 minutes until the cheese breads puff up and turn lightly golden on top.
  8. Step 8: Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes before serving warm to enjoy their chewy texture.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Moist Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked in Mini Muffin Tin take to make?

Total time is about 33 minutes (15 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Moist Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked in Mini Muffin Tin?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Moist Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked in Mini Muffin Tin?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Moist Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked in Mini Muffin Tin for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Moist Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo) Baked in Mini Muffin Tin gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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